People love to see and hear great stories that connect with them on an emotional level and engage their interest so much that they want to share those stories with others.
Short video platforms, like TikTok, which is taking the world by a storm, offer restaurants like yours a great chance to engage without the need for fancy editing or directing skills. Which makes it a great way to promote your restaurant brand.
By giving your viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how you run your restaurant, how you prepare your dishes (be careful of that secret recipe!) is deeply engaging with customers and makes them feel like they are part of a special community.
While there is no single formula or special inside tips to make your videos go viral and have everyone beating on your restaurant door to get inside for a taste of the real thing, a little effort on the TikTok platform can help you grow a following and attract more attention to your brand.
We’ve put together some tips on how you can use the power of TikTok to market your restaurant to a wider audience and increase sales for your brand.
Take Your Audience Behind the Scenes
People love to see what goes on behind the curtain – or in this case, the kitchen door.
By giving your viewers a behind-the-scenes look at how you run your restaurant, how you prepare your dishes (be careful of that secret recipe!) is deeply engaging with customers and makes them feel like they are part of a special community.
You can walk through the restaurant with the camera and introduce them to your staff, or show them the process of cooking up an order, or maybe interview a loyal customer.
Take them on a tour of your kitchen and introduce members of your team working in the kitchen or in the restaurant area. Making viewers feel like they are part of what you’re doing makes them more likely to want to come and see you in the real world and experience the food you’re creating for themselves.
Go Live and Don’t be Afraid
Some people avoid going live on TikTok for fear of making a mistake and looking foolish. But in reality, the audience loves that. Studies have shown that when an audience sees you being “human”, with all the silly mistakes that often goes with it, they often feel a deeper bond with you. Because they make the same silly mistakes.
Maybe you accidentally put sugar in a recipe rather than salt. If you make light of the mistake your audience will adore you and your authenticity.
Because when it comes down to it, the most important tip we can give about being successful on any audience platform is to BE AUTHENTIC!
Share Some Recipes
While it’s up to you whether you choose to share your secret stuff that makes you unique from other restaurants, your followers will love to see how you make some of their favorite dishes.
Make these videos fun and engaging, let your personality and passion shine!
Offer Lessons and Techniques
While slicing onions might be mundane to you, if you have a special technique that you can share with your customers.
You can also share tips on storing food, how long you keep it before throwing it out, easy ways to clean up and maintain your kitchen and a whole host of other professional techniques and tips for people cooking at home.
And each time they do it at home, they will think of you. And when they want to go out and enjoy dinner, hopefully you are still there top-of-mind!
Show off New Menu Items
This is not only a great way to show off new and exciting things happening in your kitchen, it also keeps you inspired to create new and exciting dishes to keep your audience engaged on TikTok while also keeping them coming to your restaurant to try all of your yummy new offerings.
Now get your smartphone out and start engaging!
